
JW Marriott Chicago
Best for travelers who want landmark architecture, a large spa, and extensive event space in the Loop.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
JW Marriott Chicago is a 4.5-star, classic downtown luxury hotel in a historic Daniel Burnham–designed bank building — good for travelers who want landmark architecture, large meeting spaces, and a full-service spa. The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago is a 4.5-star luxury-lifestyle property near Michigan Avenue and River North — read this if you want a stylish Magnificent Mile stay steps from the Riverwalk and shopping.
Updated · about 1.8 km apart

Best for travelers who want landmark architecture, a large spa, and extensive event space in the Loop.

Best for shoppers and culture visitors who want to be steps from Michigan Avenue, the Riverwalk, and nearby nightlife.
When JW Marriott Chicago wins: choose the JW if you value a large, full-service downtown hotel with a sizeable spa (about 20,000 sq ft), an indoor heated lap pool and whirlpool, expansive meeting and ballroom options, and a central Loop address near Willis Tower and Union Station.
When The Gwen wins: pick The Gwen if you want to stay close to Michigan Avenue, the Chicago Riverwalk and Magnificent Mile shopping, prefer a more lifestyle-oriented, neighborhood feel, or want easy access to rooftop terraces and boutiques in River North/Gold Coast.
Bottom line: both are upscale 4.5-star choices; JW Marriott is the larger, business-and-event-oriented option with a major spa and indoor pool, while The Gwen is the more compact Luxury Collection property for style-focused stays near Michigan Avenue and River North.
| Category | JW Marriott Chicago | The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Classic, large downtown luxury in a historic landmark building | Luxury-lifestyle, boutique feel near Michigan Avenue and River North |
| Location | 151 West Adams St, Loop — walking distance to Willis Tower, Art Institute, Millennium Park | 521 North Rush Street — steps from Michigan Avenue and a short walk to the Chicago Riverwalk |
| Size (rooms) | About 610 rooms (major full-service hotel) | 311 guestrooms |
| Ages / audience | All ages welcome; family-friendly (minimum check-in age listed as 18) | All ages welcome (not adults-only) |
| Pools | Heated indoor lap pool + whirlpool (guest pool access, some age restrictions apply) | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site outlets: Henrietta, Lobby Bar, Savor by JW (in-room), JW Cafe, Executive Lounge | Two restaurants (including Kostali), a bar/lounge, 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | Spa at JW Chicago (~20,000 sq ft, 14 treatment rooms, hammam chambers, sauna); 24-hour fitness center (~3,000 sq ft) | 24-hour fitness facilities; spa details not published |
| Known for | Historic Daniel Burnham bank building, large meeting and ballroom inventory, big spa | Prime Michigan Avenue location, rooftop terrace and proximity to shopping |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive — 37 meeting rooms totaling ~41,973 sq ft; multiple ballrooms including Grand Ballroom | Conference space ~3,388 sq ft with 14 meeting rooms |
| Typical guest use | Business conferences, weddings, families and spa-focused stays | Leisure stays for shoppers and couples, small meetings |
JW Marriott Chicago sits in the Loop at 151 West Adams in a historic Daniel Burnham bank building, close to Willis Tower and public transit.
Choose JW for easy access to Loop landmarks, transportation hubs, and business districts.
The Gwen is located at 521 N Rush Street, putting you steps from Michigan Avenue, boutique shopping and the Chicago Riverwalk.
Choose The Gwen for a stay centered on shopping, Riverwalk access, and Michigan Avenue attractions.
JW Marriott Chicago is a large property with many room types and club-level Executive Rooms available.
JW is better if you want more room-type variety and club-lounge options for extended or business stays.
The Gwen offers a range of Superior, Deluxe, Grand rooms and suites in a smaller footprint.
The Gwen offers a compact but well-appointed set of room categories suitable for leisure and couple stays.
JW Marriott Chicago provides several on-site restaurants and lounges covering breakfast, Italian dinner, bar service and in-room dining.
Pick JW for a wider variety of on-site dining across multiple venues and a full-service in-room dining program.
The Gwen lists two restaurants (including Kostali) plus a bar/lounge and 24-hour room service.
The Gwen suits guests who want upscale, neighborhood dining and quick access to Michigan Avenue restaurants.
JW Marriott Chicago’s standout amenity is its large Spa at JW Chicago plus an indoor heated lap pool and whirlpool.
If a big, full-service spa and indoor pool matter, JW is the stronger choice.
The Gwen highlights a rooftop terrace and garden; detailed pool or full spa facilities are not published in the supplier listing.
Choose The Gwen if a rooftop terrace and walking access to the Magnificent Mile matter more than a hotel spa and indoor pool.
JW provides a comprehensive wellness offer with a big spa, 24-hour fitness center, and an indoor pool with some age rules.
JW suits guests who want full wellness amenities plus straightforward access to downtown nightlife and cultural venues.
The Gwen offers 24-hour fitness facilities and a single bar/lounge; it's positioned for nightlife and strolling to nearby River North venues.
The Gwen is convenient for evening walks to the Riverwalk, shopping, or neighborhood bars rather than large on-site nightlife.

JW Marriott Chicago — large dedicated spa (≈20,000 sq ft), hammam chambers and an indoor heated lap pool.

The Gwen — right by Michigan Avenue and Water Tower Place for immediate access to shopping.

JW Marriott Chicago — about 37 meeting rooms and ~41,973 sq ft of event space, multiple large ballrooms.

The Gwen — lifestyle-oriented Luxury Collection property with rooftop terrace and a more boutique scale.
JW Marriott Chicago — it has a large dedicated spa with hammam chambers, sauna and many treatment rooms; The Gwen's supplier listing doesn't publish comparable spa details.
The Gwen is steps from Michigan Avenue and better if you want immediate access to the Magnificent Mile; JW is in the Loop and a short transit or taxi ride away.
No — both hotels welcome guests of all ages. The JW has specific age rules for spa and pool use; The Gwen is not listed as adults-only.
JW Marriott Chicago — it has a much larger meeting and ballroom inventory and is tailored for big corporate conferences and larger weddings; The Gwen offers smaller conference space.
Explore how JW Marriott Chicago stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·